young man— 1. a boyfriend; a sweetheart: Whom is she shielding? Either her father or her young man. Is it her father? 2. is used as a familiar or condescending form of address: Listen, young man, you’re headed for some serious trouble. young person— 1. a young woman: There lived a young person at Loudun […]
Category: Confusing Phrases
You tell me vs You’re telling me
you tell me— I don’t know; I have no idea: “How can we possibly get through this week with just this amount of money?” “You tell me.” Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase you tell ’em—used to agree with or encourage smb. in what he is saying: “Keeping the bridge […]
You should talk vs You shouldn’t talk
you should talk —(also: you can talk) you are in no position to criticize because you are at least as guilty as the person you are criticizing (used as an ironic or sarcastic response to a person who has just spoken): “You are cold-hearted.” “You should talk of all people!” you shouldn’t talk —(also: you can’t […]
You don’t say so vs You may well say so
you don’t say so—is used to express surprise or sarcasm at what smb. has just said: I explained my presence, and he said: “You don’t say so! Why, I’ve got a patient over at Swampscott, who says he knows you. you may well say so—what you say is perfectly correct, justified, etc.: “A craft that’s […]
You can’t win vs You can’t win ’em all
you can’t win —(also: you just can’t win) no matter how much you try, there is no way to succeed: Even though we try to educate everyone we come in contact with, sometimes you just can’t win. you can’t win ’em all—is used to say that it is not possible to succeed at every thing […]
You cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs vs You cannot make bricks without straw
you cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs —(saying) one should be prepared to make some sacrifice for what one wants: “Why all the bloodshed?” “You cannot make an omelet without breaking a few eggs,” came the reply. you cannot make bricks without straw —(saying ) nothing can be made or performed without the necessary […]
You can talk vs You can’t talk
you can talk —(also: you should talk) you are in no position to criticize because you are at least as guilty as smb. you are criticizing (used as an ironic or sarcastic response to a person who has just spoken): “Debra’s house is always such a mess!” “You can talk! Your house is even messier […]
You are a dead man vs You are a long time dead
you are a dead man —(also: you are dead) 1. is used as a threat to kill: Speak one word, and you are a dead man! 2. is used as a caution: In this neighborhood, you don’t carry a knife or a piece, you are a dead man. Note: The expression does not correlate in […]
You and your vs You and yours
you and your—is used as a contemptuous dismissal of the thing or person mentioned: “I was born there…. It was called after my uncle.” “Shut up—you and your uncle!” you and yours —(coll.) you and your family (also: you and your near and dear ones): I and mine will be happy to see you and […]
Yellow trumpet vs Yellow trumpet flower
yellow trumpet—a plant (Sarracenia flava) whose leaves are shaped into the form of a pitcher: A fly perches on the lip of the yellow trumpet, also known as the trumpet or yellow pitcherplant. yellow trumpet flower—a tropical American shrub: Yellow bells (Tecoma stans), also called yellow trumpet flower, yellow elder, and yellow trumpetbush, is a […]
Yellow stripe disease vs Yellow stripe rust
yellow stripe disease—a virus disease of sugarcane characterized by striping of the foliage: Sugar cane varieties have been imported which are resistant to the highly troublesome yellow-stripe disease. yellow stripe rust—a rust of wheat, rye, barley, and other grains caused by a fungus: The main diseases to check for are yellow stripe rust (Puccinia glumarum) and […]
Yellow boy vs Yellow man
yellow boy— 1. the Winchester 1866 rifle: This weapon could hold sixteen cartridges. Known as the “Yellow-boy” because of its brass frame, it was developed from the Henry repeating rifle. 2. (dated) a gold coin: And if you’ll only go along with me, this day twelve months you’ll all have more yellow boys in your […]